THE LETTER I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED 35 YEARS AGO…
I did not think it would affect me this much….received the actual acceptance letter from Oregon State University today. The thought that I really should have gotten this letter 35 years ago when I was leaving high school really hit hard. You look back over your life and see where you have been and where you could have gone… Would I change my life? maybe…any regrets, a few… Had to just sit down and weep for about a 1/2 hour. The whole premise of this blog is REACHING LIFELONG GOALS…and I have to look at that. I’m well on my way to finally have that college degree that I could never put on a resume. I know that a college degree would have changed my life drastically 30 years ago, but there is no way to change what has been. Late in life, yes, but achieving goals sometimes has life get in the way. Nontraditional Students all over the nation may be experiencing this same phenomenon, but personally this letter was a milestone for me. I don’t know if anyone out there will be going through these same feelings, but if you are, I hope you have the same feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment as I am right now. The idea that I will finally have that opportunity to finish my education this late in life is what being a Non Traditional Student is all about. At this point in my life, starting a new career is a scary thought, but it is also exhilarating at the same time. One should not just take their lot in life as a static thing, you are never too old to go after that goal you set for yourself so many, many years ago. Reaching lifelong goals is just not a clever blog title, it has become a major driving force in my life. Sure there will be obstacles (MTH 060 is kicking my butt right now…) but the light is at the end of the tunnel now. Sorry if this post is kind of sappy, but I’m still trying to soak all of this in right now.
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July 29th, 2009 at 5:54 am
Hi Mike,
I’m the Guide to Continuing Education at About.com, part of The New York Times Company. I found your blog this morning and blogged about you!
Good luck this year, and congratulations!
Deb
July 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Thank you for your support. I was very impressed with your great site for Non traditionals Found loads of great information there.
I’ll be checking back often.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:38 am
I emailed OSU to tell them I blogged about one of their students, but the email popped back as undeliverable. :-/
Deb
May 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Hello Mike,
I’m a teacher and though I’ve always been teaching ordinary classes, you know, teenagers at school, but now I’m dealing with lifelong learning and I’ve found your blog. Thank you very much for it, because I’ve found it most ‘useful’ to help my students and encourage them. I hope you don’t mind becoming an example in my classes.
Thanks in advance and, my most sincere best wishes as a student.
Lola.